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L80K guards red - where to buy?


hepkat63

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Guards red and Indian red are the same thing... Where are you located that might help...

Hi Smule,

no, their not actually.  yes, i know that some parts of the internet tell you that - and this information fooled me too.  The blurb is something along the lines that the original color was called Indian Red and when they were going to sell that to the American market, it was deemed offensive (to the indigenous folk) so it was changed to guards red.

So, whilst yes - guards red and indian red are the same in that regard - when you go to a paint supplier and ask for Guards Red, they find indian red and tell you it's the same color.  It actually has a completely different paint code of LM3A and it is a totally different color - it is more orange/red than guards red.

I am not the first, and won't be the last to fall into this trap.  In fact, one guy on another forum was told that it was exactly the same color and the reason that it looked different to his original paint is that his original paint was over 20 years old and it had faded that color.  Seriously.

 

I am in Narrandera NSW - miles from anywhere - so it would be an Australia Post job.

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This is where I got my original information fromhttp://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?manuf=Porsche&gncl=Red&con=mc&page=2&rows=50

 

This page says it is LM3A and indeed when I went to the the Paint specialist in Wagga (whom are usually really good) - they confirmed that on their database and paint machine. 

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Aus delivered.

AH, yours is an 1986 model - so that is probably correct.  The color code (from what I can see) was changed in 1989 for guards red. and the LM3A was kept for historical reference.    Here is the difference.  Original L80K on the left and LM3A Indian Red on the right (engine lid).  Close, but no cigar !paint.jpg

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I believe they use one of the BASF products. Probably Glasurit something. Having said that I would be phoning a body shop that specialise in Porsche resto. Or ring BASF and speak to one of their techos.

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From what I have seen and read the porsche Reds are really hard to match to there color code and generaly you will need a specialist paint Guy to match the color for you .

not a matter of matching it Tomo - it is a matter of finding a Company that can mix the correct porsche paint code.   I have a few others to call tomorrow (Monday) and I'm sure I'll get to the bottom of it.

However, you are correct though - but not just for Porsches - reds are indeed the hardest color to match.

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Having restored an indischrot car I can tell you it is the same as guards red and this opinion has been formed after talking at length with a Glasurit rep and mixing the various codes in a PPG shop. Where there is a variance in paint colour this may be related to a different flip in the code or how the paint was applied (over a previously repaired panel with a difference base primer colour) . You would also need to consider if it was painted In single stage or clear over base

Anyway thats just my opinion based on getting a car painted, oh and please don't fall for the "porsche paint code" as you can mix the code from any brand paint... our cars where originally painted in a Glasurit brand, and that exact Glasurit line is no longer available due to environmental reasons...

Best of luck and keep us posted with your findings .

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thanks Tomo.  Geez, now I am really confused!  I search for guards red and it shows GL64 as the code.  Interestingly though, it shows from '83 to '90 and when I search for my paint code (that is on the sticker under the bonnet ) L80K, I get a VW audi yellow color.   LOL !

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Ok, so my trek today took me to James at Autohaus whom could not help with paint, but was forever helpful with information.  He put me on to Dean at McCreath Smash repairs (02) 99392530 that have supplied the (correct) guard's red touch up to Autohaus before.  

 

I spoke to Dean and he indeed can help but.... only in two-pack, NOT acrylic.  Now, I don't own a spray booth, so spraying in two-pack is a waste of time for me - it has to be acrylic.  He told me hardly anyone makes acrylic anymore as all the Panel Beaters/painters have over the years had all sorts of regulations to adhere too with Spray booths and have moved to two-pack.

 

He did however, put me on to Auto (something...)  (02)99051388 who supply Acrylic paint.  I spoke with Jason whom was most helpful.  Yes, indeed they have Guards Red L80K and (interestingly) also known as Indischrot (german for indian red !!).  However, i confirmed that it definately the correct red.

 

You can't order direct from Jason - you need to call either Ken or Jim in the office (02)80368206 whom you can pay via CC and they'll organise freight (dangerous goods) for you from there.

 

(BTW - no affiliations...)

 

So.... hopefully this will help someone else down the track.  Thanks guys for all the comments, help and suggestions.

 

A little side note about this.  Whilst I am sure that this is the right color, there will be no way i'm expecting a 100% match.  As previously mentioned, red is by far the hardest color to ever match up.   Given my car is nearly 25 years old, that would be very unrealistic to think it would be perfect.   My car paint is what it is for the age of the car, but at least the engine lid won't be orange/red :)

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